The Lady Falcons had a long week, but a successful one, as the team managed a 4-0 run through the Husky Tournament of Champions, besting teams from Sunrise Mountain, Agua Fria, Liberty and Northwest Christian to earn the championship.

The local squad will enjoy a nice weeklong break before returning to play on Thursday, Dec. 18, to host Phoenix Country Day School at 6 p.m.

Sunrise Mountain

The big tournament began Monday, Dec. 1, with the Lady Falcons squaring off against the Division II team from Sunrise Mountain.

“We started off very strong possessing the ball,” said head coach Alison Mabery.

“About three minutes into the first half, Danica Kerr took the ball down the sideline and sent in a shot. The goalie couldn’t contain the ball and senior Emmie Lawrence, making a back post run, slid the ball in to go up 1-0.”

Just a handful of minutes into the new season and the Falcons had already netted their first goal.

Mabery said that the Falcons continued to apply offensive pressure, but it wasn’t until the second half that they struck pay dirt a second time.

“Erika Yost made a run up the left sideline and finished on the keeper, putting the Falcons up 2-0,” she added.

“The scoring streak wouldn’t end there, as freshman Selina Reisig took the ball down the sideline, crossing in, for Sierra Jarriel to finish in the side corner.”

Erika Yost ended the game with yet another goal from Leah Carillo, putting the Falcons up 4-0 to earn the win.

Agua Fria

Back in action the following day, the Falcons began their match against Agua Fria with Jarriel sending in a corner kick that was finished by Leah Carillo to put Fountain Hills up 1-0 early on.

Agua Fria’s defense managed to buckle down a bit after that, and it wasn’t until just before halftime that the Falcons found their second goal. Jarriel took a pass from Erika Yost and sent it into the goal. The ball bounced off of the cross bar, hit the goalie, then bounced into the net to put the Falcons up 2-0.

In the second half, Carillo connected with a cross to Yost, who finished the play by sending the ball into the back of the net, giving the Falcons the 3-0 win.

Liberty

Game three of the tournament saw the Falcons taking on Division 1 school, Liberty, which turned out to be a more balanced affair than the previous two games. While the Falcons dominated in shots on goal, the score board never lit up.

“Numerous opportunities presented themselves throughout the game but we struggled to find the back of the net,” Mabery added.

“With about 10 minutes to go in the second half, Jarriel crossed in a left-footed ball that found Leah Carillo’s foot and eventually went past the keeper to put us up 1-0, where the game would stay.”

This win meant that the Falcons were set to play in the championship round.

NW Christian

Unlike the three previous games, Coach Mabery said the Falcons got off to a slow start this time around, falling behind 1-0.

“That’s when the girls really picked it up,” Mabery added.

With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Yost crossed a ball to Lawrence, who managed to sneak past the keeper. Lawrence booted it in to bring the game back onto even footing, 1-1.

The second half started out just like the first, with Northwest Christian managing a goal early on and leaving the Falcons to play catch-up.

“It was on,” Mabery said.

“You could see the determination in the Falcons and feel the energy come alive in the girls.”

Freshman Selina Reisig recorded her first high school goal to tie the game at 2-2.

Later on, Jarriel fired a ball into the goal that the keeper once again struggled to get a hold of. And, yet again, Lawrence was there to capitalize, sinking the ball in the back of the net to put the Falcons up 3-2.

“It was a battle until the final buzzer as Northwest Christian pushed up their attack to make a final run to tie the game,” Mabery continued.

“With 20 seconds to go, a long shot sent into the keeper was as close as they would come.”

Sophomore Charlotte Tornee stretched out to make the save, helping lead the Falcons to the 3-2 victory and a tournament championship.